Jamia Millia Islamia: No protest for 2 months; Section 144 imposed ahead of teachers protest

NEW DELHI: Jamia Millia Islamia has directed all students of JMI and teaching and non-teaching staff to not assemble in groups or stage protest or march in and outside campus for the next two months. The institute informed that Section 144 has been imposed in the entire Okhla, Jamia Nagar with effect from September 19 to November 17, 2022.

As per the official notice, the JMI said, “All students of Jamia Millia Islamia including teaching and non-teaching staff are hereby advised not to assemble in groups/march/agitation/dharna/meetings etc. in and outside campus failing which the violators will be held responsible for action by the Delhi Police.”

The development comes ahead of the protest march to be held today by the Jamia Teachers Association (JTA). The teachers association had on September 25 informed the university about the peaceful protest march on September 27 at 12.30 PM from JTA office to VC office in connection with the issues raised by them in the meeting with the vice-chancellor held on September 8, 2022.

The university in a notice dated September 26 claimed that most of the issues, covered under the university rules, have already been resolved and remaining issues are under active consideration.

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“The JTA in order to mount pressure has come forward with the same issues and planned a march of the teachers which are detrimental to the smooth functioning of the university,” JMI said.

After curbing free speech of students on campus, Jamia Millia Islamia administration is seeking to prevent a peaceful march by teachers by getting the police to impose Sec. 144 in the entire Okhla (Jamia Nagar) area.

Commenting on the imposition of Section 144, the the Students Islamic Organisation of India (SIO) said, “After curbing free speech of students on campus, Jamia Millia Islamia administration is seeking to prevent a peaceful march by teachers by getting the police to impose Section 144 in entire Okhla (Jamia Nagar) area.”

The university recently rejected reports regarding the university facing a "financial crunch", saying the University Grants Commission has released a substantial grant to it. The statement comes after JTA President Majid Jamil told the media that the university is facing a financial crisis.